Playing against Orange Hawks, some fundamental errors late in the game cost the Magpies - who surrendered a 10 point half-time lead - to go down 28-26.

Early on things were looking good for the visitors, breaking out to a 12-point lead in the opening 20 minutes. Warren Williams ran 90 metres before Tim Homan re-gathered a charge down to cross the line.

Things went from bad to worse for Hawks with fullback Joe Lasagavibau and second-rower Kyle Byrnes sent to the sideline for ten minutes after a minor scuffle broke out. The Magpies, however, failed to capitalise on the two-man advantage and lost the 10 minute period 12-6.

Tim Mortimer and Keegan Harding crossed for Hawks while Ricky Whitton managed to keep the Magpies in front before KJ Wood crossed in the shadows of halftime, extending the lead at the break to 22-12.

The second half was one to forget for Cowra, amid a comedy of errors early on Tim Mortimer grabbed his second and a successful conversion closed the gap to only four.

The Magpies struck back straight away after Jay McClintock caught a pin-point kick by Tim Holman to score but with the conversion sailing wide the lead remained 10.

Cowra coughed up possession two plays after the restart handing Hawks a great opportunity which they seized through Jared Brodrick, four minutes later he set up the final try which was also converted to lead the Magpies by two where the score remained.

"We definitely didn't come here to lose," Magpies coach Steve Sutton said.

"I think we lost more than Hawks beat us. We had a fair few cracks in that second half but we were flat out getting to our kick, good sides will make you pay when you turn the ball over that much and Hawks were good enough to do so."

This weekend the Magpies return home to host Orange Cyms who lost last weekend to Lithgow. This game will also be see the return game of the Old Boy's match. Earlier this year the Old Magpies were too good beating Cyms 16-14. According to Bob Hilton though a few body's are still sore after that encounter.

A full preview of the Premier League game will be in Friday's paper.

ORANGE HAWKS 28 (Tim Mortimer 2, Keegan Harding, Jared Brodrick, Alofi Mataele tries; Brock McGarity 4 goals) def COWRA MAGPIES 26 (Warren Williams, Tim Holman, Ricky Whitton, KJ Wood, Jay McClintlock tries; Caley Mok 3 goals).